Husqvarna 122LKP Gas Pole Saw Review

The 122LKP is built around a light powerhead, and that shapes everything it does well in a backyard.

Weight and handling

The listed weight is 13.1 lb, which is light for a gas pole saw and makes it easy to hold up and out for a pruning session. The listed weight is 13.1 lb.

Reach for high limbs

Up to 12-foot reach gets the bar to branches a manual pole saw or a lopper cannot touch, without a ladder. For the top of a small tree or a high limb over a fence, that is the whole point of the tool.

Attachment-capable powerhead

The same unit takes other attachments sold separately, so one powerhead can cover pole saw work plus other yard tasks. That is the main structural reason to choose this saw over a fixed pole saw.

Cutting hardware

The 10-inch bar runs the proprietary X-CUT chain, designed with an optimized cutting angle to stay sharp longer, and the chain is oiled automatically.

Intended use fit

Pruning, branch cutting and limb removal during spring cleanup in the backyard or garden are exactly the seasonal homeowner jobs this saw is made for. The warranty runs 2 years for residential use.

The 122LKP cuts cleanly within its range, and the limits show up when you push past it.

Small fuel tank

The engine is economical, but the tank is small, so expect frequent refueling on a long cleanup.

Modest power for its class

0.8 hp from 21.7 cc means clean cuts through small and medium limbs, with the saw slowing near its stated maximum.

Technique-dependent

The chain must be at full speed before it touches wood, or the engine bogs.

Reach is a maximum, not a working average

Reach: up to 12 feet. The working distance from your hands to the bar tip is shorter, so plan the branches you can actually reach from the ground.

Not a professional tool

The 122LKP is positioned for residential use, and the warranty reflects that. Heavy daily cutting belongs to a different class of saw.

What buyers on Amazon report

Amazon's summary of its customer reviews reports mixed views on quality, power and value, and a minority of buyers report durability problems early in use. That minority experience is real, and the 2-year residential warranty is the remedy if it happens to you. The large majority of ratings are four or five stars.

Two manuals

Setup and operation instructions are split between the powerhead manual and the attachment manual.

The 10-inch bar sets the realistic limb size you can cut in one pass. The 13.1 lb is what you hold overhead, so it matters more than the number suggests. The 12-foot reach is a maximum, and the 65.4-inch height is the tool's own length, which tells you how much of that reach is the saw itself.

A few habits keep the 122LKP cutting the way it should.

Setup

Assemble according to both manuals, check and tighten the head-to-shaft set screw, and check chain tension before the first use.

Technique

Let the chain reach full speed before engaging wood. Cut larger limbs in sections, keep the chain running while withdrawing, and do not force it near its maximum limb size.

Fuel and oil

Follow the manufacturer's fuel mix and oiling instructions from the manual, and check the automatic oiler is delivering oil before each session.

Storage

Run it dry or use stabilized fuel for the off-season, clean the air filter, and check the spark plug each season.

Safety

Use it from the ground only, never from a ladder, roof or tree. Keep clear of power lines, since the saw is not insulated. Stand to the side of the drop zone, wear eye, hearing and head protection, and never run it indoors or in a shed because of carbon monoxide.

The light weight and the attachment system are what you are paying for, and they reward a user who maintains the saw and works at its pace.